RELEASE: SENATOR KENNEDY COULD DO SOMETHING, IF HE WANTED TO

In response to Senator John Kennedy’s recent remarks concerning the urgent need to renew the CHIP program, Stephen Handwerk, executive director of the Louisiana Democratic Party released this statement:

“It’s encouraging that Senator Kennedy has finally joined Governor John Bel Edwards in urging members of Congress to renew the Children’s Health Insurance Program. What’s even better news is the awesome power he holds as a United States Senator! If he is as serious about this as he claims, he can stand with the Democrats in blocking any legislative action until CHIP is back at full strength. Absent any action, though, Senator Kennedy’s words aren’t worth much more than a pint of weedkiller. As he mentioned, 122,000 Louisiana children depend on it.

“Is Senator Kennedy brave enough to stand up to Republicans in Washington and demand that they work toward compromise with Democrats for the good of our state and country, or is this another instance of Senator John Kennedy seeking media attention before quietly caving in to Mitch McConnell?”